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FAITH HOUSE Manhattan
New York City UPDATE

DECEMBER 31, 2008 (weekly)
information - connection - involvement
editor: Samir Selmanovic



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Last week we discussed the role of angels and spirit guides in Scripture and in our lives. It was a fit ending for our first half-year together. And now some news.

We are moving! Our new space will be at Intersections on 5th Ave between 29th and 30th street. Check out the space and the way they make a difference in the world at www.intersectionsinternational.org. Notice that starting January we will continue to have weekly program but with the following modifications that will better fit our vision, budget, and needs:

1. LIVING ROOM gatherings will be every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month from 5-6:30 pm in Intersections.

2. On the 3rd week of every month we will SERVE TOGETHER, arrange for an opportunity for us to serve together in the area of fighting poverty, working for social or environmental justice, sustainability, and community service.

3. Every 1st week of every month we will have a FAITH HOUSE TOUR BUS, as we step out of our comfort zones and into a hospitable space of others and visit their services, lectures, rituals, concerts, and other events.

Thank you all for being part of this adventure and we look forward to seeing you in 2009!


UPCOMING FAITH HOUSE EVENTS IN NYC:

January 3, Sat. 3 pm Marriage Blessing of Bowie Snodgrass & George Mathew
(Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Ave.)

The Faith House community is warmly invited to this grand unique religious ritual and celebration, which will be a traditional Episcopal (Christian) wedding blessing in the newly re-opened Cathedral at 3 pm, followed by a light reception. RSVPs appreciated, but not required: www.georgeandbowiewedding.com

The Dean of the Cathedral will be preaching; Organ improvisation by Justin Bischof, who won first prize in the 2000 American Guild of Organists  National Improvisation Competition; the choir, led by Bruce Neswick, will sing sacred music by Leonard Bernstein, William Byrd, and Josquin De Prez, in this traditional Episcopal Marriage Blessing with Eucharist. 

Also, if you would like to bring food for our light reception, please send an email to samir@faithhousemanhattan.org.  Let us know if you would like to bring: Cheese or dip; crackers or bread; dried fruit or nuts; cookies; sparkling water or juice; or some other finger food of your own design.  Bring your treats to the second floor of Cathedral House by 2:30 PM.  Many thanks! 

January 10, Sat 5 pm: LIVING ROOM GATHERING
(location: Intersections, 274 Fifth Ave, between 29th and 30th)

The Third Meal: A Time of Desire - Romemu Style, with Rabbi David Ingber and Romemu congregation.

Traditionally, the last meal of Shabbat takes place during the most beautiful time of the day, the waning hours before Shabbat is over.  This time is called Et Ratzon, or "time of desire, yearning, and holy grasping".  Join Faith House Manhattan for an unforgettable evening. Together we will hold on to Shabbat asking Her to linger just a bit longer, enticing Her to stay with our songs, teachings, and comraderie. Light refreshments will be served.  

Faith House Habitat for Humanity Sunday in February: TBA
Coordinator: Sammer Aboelela

January 12, Mon. 8pm MAHLER FOR THE CHILDREN OF AIDS
(CARNEGIE HALL)

Bowie's husband, George Mathew, is Artistic Director and Conductor for MAHLER FOR THE CHILDREN OF AIDS (www.mahlerforthechildren.org), a benefit performance of Gustav Mahler's monumental Third Symphony, to
raise public consciousness and funds for the mothers and children affected by Pediatric AIDS and for the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT).

Today, every minute of every day, a child under the age of 15 dies of AIDS-related illnesses and there are approximately 15 million AIDS orphans around the globe.  The beneficiary of the evening will be CMMB (Catholic Medical Mission Board) a leader in meeting the challenge of HIV and AIDS around the world.

It will bring together the world finest principal orchestral musicians, all of whom are generously donating their time and artistry, from the New York Philharmonic, The MET Orchestra, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Luke's, The Brooklyn Philharmonic, Minnesota Orchestra, the Emerson Quartet and many others, and a chorus of women for the Dessoff Symphonic Choir, and children's choirs from the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, and the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola in New York. They will be performing under the musical direction of conductor, George Mathew, who has produced two previous benefit concerts:  Beethoven's Ninth for South
Asia and Requiem for Darfur (www.requiemfordarfur.org).

Ways to get involved:

    * Purchase tickets: www.mahlerforthechildren.org
    * Share the concert with your networks on Facebook:
      http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=36098791770

FROM OUR FRIENDS AT INTERSECTIONS:

I (Samir) have heard about Immaculee over and over again from friends on the West Coast urging me not to miss an opportunity to hear her story. I was excited to learn that The West End Lecture Series event on January 8, at 7 pm described below will have her as a guest speaker. Immaculee Illibagiza, a Tutsi woman who survived the Rwandan Genocide by the Hutus in 1994, is a living example of faith put into action. Immaculee's life was transformed dramatically during the 1994 Rwandan genocide when she and seven other women spent 91 days huddled silently together in the cramped bathroom of a local pastor's house. For more information on the series, time, and location, click HERE.


Help us learn where you live and what your needs are by filling out a short questionnaire. Many thanks to those of you who have already responded!

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THANK YOU!